Minimum MA Auto Insurance Requirements

The state of Massachusetts requires all cars to be insured. In fact, you cannot register a vehicle in the state without first demonstrating that you have sufficient insurance coverage. Although most car owners purchase more than the necessary minimum, it can be helpful to know what the minimum MA auto insurance requirements are.

Four types of coverage are required on all vehicles registered in the state of Massachusetts. Additionally, each must cover a minimum dollar value.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

$8,000 per person, per accident

Bodily Injury to Others

This covers anyone who may be injured in an accident, including pedestrians and passengers in other vehicles.

$20,000 per person
$40,000 per accident

Bodily Injury Caused by an Uninsured Auto

This covers incidents where you are involved in an accident with another vehicle that is uninsured. Given that all registered vehicles in MA must have insurance, you may be wondering why this is needed. It’s possible that the policy may have lapsed on that other vehicle, or the vehicle may be from a state where insurance is not mandated. It’s important that your insurance provides coverage in these cases.

$20,000 per person
$40,000 per accident

Damage to Property

In addition to people being injured, your vehicle may be involved in an accident that causes damage to someone’s property.

$5,000 per accident

Reasons to Purchase More than the Minimum

As you can see from the list above, minimum MA auto insurance requirements are very low. For accidents causing personal injury, how likely is it that medical expenses would exceed the $20,000 per person minimum? Given the high cost of medical high, it’s very likely, especially when major injuries are sustained. Likewise, if you damaged someone’s property, home repairs can easily exceed $5,000.

What happens when your MA auto insurance coverage is not enough? You could be held personally liable for the difference! That should be enough to scare you into purchasing more MA auto insurance coverage than the required minimum. You may also want to include some optional coverages.

Optional MA Auto Insurance Coverage

Minimum MA auto insurance requirements focus on personal injury and property damage. It does not cover damage to your actual vehicle. Unless you have disposable income and can risk taking a huge or total loss, you may want to add these optional coverages:

Collision – Covers damage to your vehicle.
Comprehensive – Covers damages not related to accidents (i.e. a tree lands on your car)
Rental – Covers a rental vehicle while your car is being repaired.

If you have a loan on your vehicle, your lender will require collision and comprehensive coverage. Regardless, you should consider these optional coverages to protect your investment.

Minimum MA Auto Insurance Requirements